Introduction

If you’re seeking for a laptop that will help you compete with your work, games, and artistic spirits, you may want to look at the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i. Looking like the Dell XPS, the 2-in-1 convertible promises a versatile laptop without any compromise of performance. In the following review I will present every aspect of the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i and guide you whether it is suitable for you or not. So sit back comfortably as we begin to give you a tour of what this impressive machine has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i brings a fashionable perspective into the fold as well as its functionality. The first thing anyone would notice is that there is no fat whatsoever; it comes with an ultra slim graphite grey or platinum grey build. The Laptop takes a weight of about 1.5 kg, thus, is relatively portable and quite easy to carry about with out any feeling the weight of the Laptop.

However, one of the most selling points of this laptop is its ability to rotate up to 360 degrees. The IdeaPad Flex 5i can be used in different modes: as an ordinary laptop, second as a tablet, third in a tent mode, and finally as a stand for viewing movies. Students, working persons, and other users can easily use this versatile tool in different conditions.

Despite being slim, the borders surrounding the screen are thin and known as bezels, enhancing present day appearance and maximising for screen size. It has a utilitarian look without being bland and Lenovo has ensured that the hardware does not have a plastic like feel due to the use of PC+ABS.

Display and Graphics

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i still holds a 14.0-inch diagonal Full HD IPS, or optional TN display size. The IPS version comes with a brightness of 250 nits and provides great color range as well as stable angles which makes this monitor great for movie watching and even creative work. For the most part it will get the job done, with just a slightly less vibrancy than with the TN panel and significantly worse viewing angle.

It further has a 10-point touch capability for efficient use in the tablet modality or with a stylus, which is optional. Mobile users who want enhanced creative processing for tasks like photo editing and light gaming can opt for the NVIDIA GeForce MX450 discrete graphic card.

Credit: Lenovo

Performance and Productivity

Powered by Intel’s 11th Gen processors, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i comes in various configurations: i3, i5, and i7. Every such processor version has its specific advantages, from raw performance to work on concurrent tasks or on a high level. The maximum amount of memory this laptop can take is 16GB RAM and has up to 512 GB SSD, making the system perform optimally for anything from general use as browsing or watching videos and managing resource-intensive programs.

The i5 and i7 versions together with Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics ensures efficiency in the handling of multiple applications while the former and the latter its suffices for basic photo and video editing tasks. The i3 version will be better suited for of every day office usage, looking more into typing documents, sending emails and browsing the internet.

The keypad is perfectly designed for typing with great ease and the back light is a plus when working at night. The touchpad mounted onto aluminium Mylar is smooth and quite sensitive to touch and movement as well.

Credit: Lenovo

Battery Life and Portability

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i has a good battery which can go up to 11 hours depending with the usage of the tablet. Lenovo also supports fast-charging capability, it is possible to recharge it to 80% within one hour suitable for those that are always on the move.

The laptop has a compact designed and actually weighs 1.5 kgs which makes it easily portable in a backpack or briefcase. Whether you’re switching between classes, cafes, or just across the different rooms of your home, the Flex 5i is a device built for the flexibility and practical use.

Connectivity Options

connectivity options that Lenovo has fitted to the IdeaPad Flex 5i are USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 for data and power, HDMI 1.4b, card reader and headphone/mic combo. As for the connectivity, for most users, there are ample options, for connecting peripherals or display for a presentation.

The addition of WiFi 6 mean that the internet connection you get will be faster and more stable provided you are using the right router. Bluetooth 5.0 is also present which can be used to connect wireless accessories peripherals including headphones, a keyboard, or mouse.

Security Features

Most of the users are very much conscious with the privacy and security and Lenovo has incorporate some of these aspect. Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5i has provision for physical shutter which enables you to block the webcam when not in use. This little addition I have to commend to is really helpful in the sense that you don’t have to worry about being seen by people who could be lurking around.

In addition, integrated fingerprint scanner mounted on this laptop makes is easy to log in and out without typing the password, hence provides an extra layer of security to the device.

Credit: Lenovo

User Experience: Modes and Versatility

On the issue of versatility, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is one of the apparatuses that can be unequaled. The 360-degree hinge makes the laptop to be easily adjustable from one mode to another for instance, laptop mode if used for typing document, tent mode if used to watch a video or an album, and tablet mode if used to sketch.

The hinge’s structure look robust, and the transition from one mode to another does not make it seem weak. Another plus of the tablet hardware is the optional digital pen support for notes and drawings, thus expands functionality of the tablet. The option to have Alexa (if available in the country) is an added bonus for those that prefer voice control of their device.

Credit: Lenovo

Credit: Lenovo

Sound and Audio Quality

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i arrives with stereo speakers with Dolby Audio, and it is good to make use of in a notebook of this dimensions. Though it may not facilitate home theatre, the sound loudness, one is adequate for multimedia for movie enjoyment or a virtual meeting. The dual-array microphones additionally guarantee the precise recording of voices during voice calls/online conferences.

Software and Operating System

As for the software, Lenovo sends the IdeaPad Flex 5i with the installed version of Windows 10 or Windows 11. Lenovo also bundles its apps, Lenovo Vantage which assist in managing updates, over checking the health of your system and managing settings of many more.

There are many of them that are quite useful, while others are third-party programs that you may want to delete because taking space and slowing the process. Fortunately, in the case of the Flex 5i that is a rather versatile 2-in-1 laptop-tablet, Windows 11 looks and feels absolutely in place in both the laptop and the tablet modes.

Pros and Cons of Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i

Pros:

• Flexible 2-in-1 design with a solid 360 degree rotational angle mechanism.
• Long lasting battery life, fast charging capability
• Comfortable backlit keyboard
• Adequate results with Intel’s 11th Gen processors
• Security features such as fingerprint scanner and webcam cover.
• WiFi 6 for fast internet connection

Cons:

• TN panel version has very low viewing angles
• Camera quality is average
• Restricted ports in some models (an extra USB port would help)

Credit: Lenovo

Conclusion: Is Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Worth Your Money?

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is a versatile, portable and relatively powerful convertable laptop which at the same time is affordable. In summary, for those looking for a device to meet their work, school or entertainment needs, then the Flex 5i is a device that gives value for you money.

This capability of the ultrabook to toggled between states makes it an equally ideal electronic device for more than what a laptop is capable of. Additional features of this battery include a backlit keyboard along with the latest wireless connection, WiFi 6 to make the use of this device to the full. Despite some disadvantages, it has acceptable average camera and limited viewing angles on the TN panel, so the package is very impressive.

If you need an easy and powerful laptop with usable for different parts of a day functions in one or another scope, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i will be absolutely suitable for this role.